Let's Make Some Noise!

Colour on the Cajon and Anu on the Guitar

You turned my wailing into dancing;

You removed my mourning rags and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing your praises

and not be silent.

LORD my God, I will praise you forever.  

Psalm 30:11-12

Children make noise.  Although, it could be argued that Thai children make considerably less noise than Western children, but I'll leave that to another discussion.  In general, the truth is, when kids are around you'll know it.

And while Hot Springs is unquestionably a peaceful place, out in the country as it is, a family that has gathered 25 children will have a certain decibel level to it.  And honestly?  We encourage every sound bite.

Sometimes I can forget that our kids have come from harsher realities that often make children grow silent.  Malnourishment has certainly been the experience of most of the children who come to us, and it's one of the first differences we see in their development after a few months of three solid meals.  And it's not just physically.  Emotionally and cognitively, there's more spark, more life, more noise.

Worship is enhanced when we all participate.

Certainly there's crying sometimes.  And, while rare, is a bawling snitch on a brother or sister from time to time.  Running too fast can result in a fall with appropriate expressions of injury to knees and pride.  But I'm pretty sure most everyone who's visited would say it's the singing that we hear the most.

The boys' turn.

Of course, there's lots of opportunity.  Morning and evening worship times begin with two to three songs, accompanied by the guitar and the cajon.  Sundays are full of music, and participation is highly valued, giving the children the chance to gain confidence and share their voices with their church community.

But it's the singing and laughing and happy sounds that happen in between, spontaneously, candidly that strike me the most.  This is when no one is looking, no one has a camera.  Just making a joyful noise just because.

Singing while doing some hand washing is common.

Dogs also bark.  Roosters also crow.  Wild parakeets and other bird calls I don't recognize punctuate the air.  Sometimes a very large truck rumbles down the road.  And sometimes there's karaoke happening from the resort next store.  

But mostly, always, someone somewhere is singing.   And sometimes I hear them repeating something we've learned together when I'm there.  Like Lukmee, intently colouring while clearly lilting, "The Lord has a will, and I have a need, to follow that will, to humbly be still.  To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blessed in it, following my Father's will."  (Amy Grant)

Lukmee

Sing it, girl.  Sing it.

This is the first summer in a long time I'm not heading to Thailand.

Missing me some certain children and their music-to-my-heart songs.

 

We All Have a Sponsor and Couldn't Be More Grateful!

When your after school snack grows on a tree in your yard.

Papaya, sweet and juicy.

We are over the top grateful to report that every single one of our children have now been connected with a Sponsor who has partnered with NFF to make a difference in these precious lives.

Three new girls arrived in May.  Three new girls are now well on their way to new opportunities.

Thank you!  To the three specific Sponsors who have stepped up, may blessings be poured down on you in equal measure to your kindness towards us.  For all our Sponsors, especially those who have been faithfully involved since the beginning, but also those who are just stepping up now and/or have along the way, we cannot express enough how much your faithfulness and love nurtures us.

To Supporters in general, we couldn't do this without you either.  Your contributions to NFF general operations, special appeals, annual fundraisers, and 'extra' donations all come together to provide for our needs.  This is so helpful not just in the pragmatics of caring for our large family, but in providing encouragement and inspiration for the daily interactions between our Staff and our kids.  

People in Canada are behind us!  

Pastor Suradet often reminds the children, "God must love you very much to have arranged for people all the way in Canada to come alongside you in your journey."

Yeah.  Wow.  That's just amazing!

I hope we say it enough, in broader communications like this, in one on one conversations, with words and hugs and little gifts brought home from the market.  In fact, it's actually my goal to have said it so much you might be tempted to give a little eye roll.  Yeah, we know already!

As we move full on into July, I will admit, that it's kind of strange for me to be staying in Canada for the whole summer.  Usually about this time I am neck deep in collecting packets, preparing sermons and Bible lessons, packing for ministry and packing for myself.  

To help me stay connected with the children, I've been sending along light and little mailings (Canada Day tattoos, their names 'doodled' with prayer) and making short videos with a quick hello and little encouragement.  [Side note on the video:  The last one I did included chipmunks!]

Still, it's already feeling like a long, long time between being there face to face.  

The "Next Visit" Team is still in the works, aiming for November (probably), making progress but no firm date quite yet.  Trusting God will provide the guidance we need (and a good price on our tickets).  We'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile...have I mentioned how grateful we are for all you?

(You wanted to roll your eyes just now, didn't you?)

 Rev. Ruth Anne Breithaupt, MDiv.

Canadian Representative/Missionary in Residence

New Family Foundation/Highview Community Church

The mission of New Family Foundation is to

provide a loving home for at-risk and 

orphaned children in Northern Thailand to

help them achieve their best potential in 

education, vocation and service to society.

 https://newfamilythailand.org

 

https://www.adventive.ca

   https://www.hcckw.ca